On the main road from the airport to Corning Hospital, a sleek black Aston Martin wove through the traffic at a steady pace. Autumn winds slipped in through the half-open window, carrying with them a faint floral fragrance.
In the passenger seat, Shen Yuting's gaze lingered on the large, steady hands gripping the steering wheel. Her emotions were tangled, a quiet turmoil within.
Since picking her up from the airport, Mo Xiuchen had spoken fewer than ten sentences—it was mostly her talking. Yet she keenly sensed the subtle changes in him.
That day, over the phone, she had heard from her cousin that Mo Xiuchen now had a young wife whom he adored. Her cousin had said he smiled more, carried less coldness in his demeanor. At the time, she didn't believe it.
After all these years, no woman had ever been treated differently by him. She had believed he would always remain the same—aloof, distant. But to her surprise, he had changed in just half a year.
The once icy aura he exuded had softened. At the mention of his wife, warmth flickered in his eyes, and his brow carried a subtle trace of joy.
She remained silent, and as always, Mo Xiuchen offered no words unless prompted. His deep eyes were fixed on the road ahead. His handsome features were ones she knew too well. She pressed her lips together and asked casually, "Xiuchen, I heard from my cousin you're married now—and that you found the little girl from back then. Is that true?"
While abroad, Shen Yuting had little contact with family due to work. The few conversations she had with Gu Kai always revolved around Mo Xiuchen.
Mo Xiuchen answered with a simple "Mm," offering no further explanation.
Her eyes flickered. Sensing that he was reluctant to speak about the girl, she shifted the topic. "How did you and Wen Ran meet?"
"At a banquet, just over four months ago."
This time, his reply was a full sentence, not a mere syllable. And once again, Shen Yuting noticed—the moment Wen Ran's name was mentioned, his voice softened.
A sudden, invisible grip seemed to clutch her heart, the ache quickly spreading through every vein. She watched the gentleness at the corners of his eyes, the warmth in his voice—and felt a sharp curiosity bloom within her.
She longed to see this girl, to understand what kind of woman could melt Mo Xiuchen's icy nature.
"She must be very beautiful, and exceptional, too."
Curiosity surged within her. She couldn't picture the type of woman Mo Xiuchen would fall for. Over the years, countless women had tried to get close to him—every kind imaginable.
Mo Xiuchen glanced at her, his thin lips curving slightly, a rare tenderness softening the sea-deep gaze in his eyes. "She's not the most beautiful, nor the most remarkable. She has flaws—too innocent, at times too stubborn. And she's so strong, it makes your heart ache. But when you meet her, I'm sure you'll like her."
Shen Yuting gazed dazedly at his elegant profile. The gentleness in his eyes, the affection in his words—these were things she had never witnessed in him before.
It wasn't boastful, nor was it deliberate. It was a plain and natural tone, yet it carried the weight of the deepest love. In that moment, Shen Yuting no longer felt pain.
All she felt was a quiet, ashen stillness.
She knew then—her chance had long slipped away. Mo Xiuchen wasn't the type to fall in love easily. But once he did, it would last a lifetime. How fortunate that girl, Wen Ran, must be—to have won such unwavering devotion.
Mo Xiuchen seemed oblivious to the sorrow and daze in her eyes. His gaze remained on the road, his hand steady on the wheel, calm and assured.
"I'll tell you a little secret," he said suddenly. "Ah Kai has a special feeling about Ranran—she might be the younger sister he lost years ago. Which would make her your cousin."
Though his tone was light, as if sharing a secret, only he knew what truly lay beneath those words.
Shen Yuting sat in stunned silence, her heart thrown into chaos. She stared at him with widened eyes. "Xiuchen… You mean Wen Ran might be my cousin?"
The light ahead turned red. Mo Xiuchen slowed the car, stopping behind a Bentley. He turned his head, gaze gentle, and said calmly, "We're not certain yet. For now, don't tell anyone—especially not Ranran."
Her lips parted as if to speak but no sound came. She pressed them closed again.
In those short minutes, her heart had ridden a rollercoaster of emotions.
When the Aston Martin returned to the road, Mo Xiuchen asked, "I heard from Ah Kai you're planning a national speaking tour. When does it begin?"
They spoke then of her work. Gradually, the mess within her heart settled. Bit by bit, her voice became lighter, more animated.
Xiao Group Headquarters.
Bai Xiaoxiao pushed open Xiao Yuting's office door with Wen Ran following closely behind.
Behind a luxurious, imposing desk, Xiao Yuting was murmuring sweet nothings into the phone. At the sight of them, a flicker of surprise crossed his face. He ended the call quickly with a simple "Let's talk later."
He walked over to welcome them, gesturing for Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao to sit on the couch. His demeanor was polite, even warm—a far cry from the icy indifference he usually showed Bai Xiaoxiao.
"Xiaoxiao, I heard you were traveling abroad. When did you get back?"
Sitting across from them, he asked the question with practiced courtesy.
"Just now," she replied flatly. Her voice was as calm as still water, and the admiration once in her eyes had faded into a quiet chill.
She opened her limited-edition handbag, retrieved a deep green jade bracelet, and placed it gently on the table. Her voice was light, yet final. "This was a gift from your mother. I've kept it all this time. Now, I'm returning it to you. From this moment on, you are you, and I am me. We have no ties between us."
"Xiaoxiao!"
A flicker of emotion crossed Xiao Yuting's handsome face. He frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on her.
He wasn't sure if it was shock at her tone or unease. Since childhood, Bai Xiaoxiao had clung to him like a shadow, never giving up. Every time he had a girlfriend, she would try to sabotage it.
But when had she stopped?
He thought for a moment—perhaps it was that day at Yi Pin Xuan, when he told her he would never love her.
After that, she began to avoid him. She distanced herself even during their companies' collaborations. Then he'd heard she had gone to F City, and shortly after, left the country.
Now, the Bai Xiaoxiao standing before him was different.
She ignored his expression, turned to Wen Ran, and said, "Ranran, let's go."
Wen Ran nodded with a gentle smile. "Alright."
From entering the Xiao Group to exiting the building, less than five minutes had passed. Twenty years of unrequited love—ended, just like that.
No matter how much it hurt, at least in his office, she had preserved her final shred of dignity. She hadn't let him look at her with ridicule again.
"Ranran, I want to go shopping—buy some clothes."
In the car, Bai Xiaoxiao pushed away her emotions and spoke to Wen Ran, who was fastening her seatbelt.
Wen Ran glanced over and smiled brightly. "Sure. Let's shop, then get a spa, grab dinner, and catch a movie tonight."
"You're the best, Ranran!"
Bai Xiaoxiao looked at her with heartfelt gratitude. As an only child, she'd never had siblings. From a young age, she had clung to Xiao Yuting, and when her heart first stirred, she'd fallen for him. Irrevocably.
Aside from Xiao Yuting, Wen Ran was her dearest friend. She loved her like a sister—and Wen Ran treated her the same.
They strolled from one boutique to the next along the commercial street. Bai Xiaoxiao poured her sadness into shopping—buying everything that caught her eye.
Wen Ran smiled patiently throughout. When Bai Xiaoxiao's hands were full, she carried the bags herself.
Had it not been for an unwanted encounter, Bai Xiaoxiao's sorrow might have faded almost completely.
As she stepped out of the fitting room in a soft blue trench coat, another woman exited the fitting room opposite her—wearing the exact same design in fiery red.
Seductive and glamorous, the woman's companion immediately praised her. "Linda, you look stunning in that! No wonder Young Master Xiao is completely smitten. His fiancée can't even compete."
Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao had noticed her when they entered. Linda was the same woman they'd seen at Yi Pin Xuan.
Linda, of course, wasn't blind. She recognized Bai Xiaoxiao instantly. Her friend's comment made her lips curl in a smug smile, and with an air of disdain, she purred,
"It's not just about looks. Xiao Yuting truly loves me—deeply, madly."
Her companion giggled. "Of course! Spending every day with you, how could he not fall head over heels?"
Linda batted her lashes. "Do you think this outfit is appropriate to meet his parents?"
"Perfect. But honestly, as long as you've got his heart, who cares what his parents think?"
The shop assistant, familiar with Bai Xiaoxiao as a VIP, looked on nervously.
Bai Xiaoxiao removed her coat and handed it over. Calmly, she asked, "Any new arrivals?"
The assistant brightened. "Yes, Miss Bai. We just received a limited-edition dress. It would look stunning on you—I'll bring it right out."
Just then, Linda's friend interjected rudely, "What limited edition? Show it to us—we'll take it."
The assistant hesitated. Her tone was arrogant, but she held her tongue.
Wen Ran, unbothered, smiled warmly at the assistant. "Please, Miss Xiaohua, could you fetch it for us?"
"Of course, Miss Wen. Please wait a moment."
Seeing her calm, polite demeanor only highlighted the other woman's lack of grace.
Furious, Linda tried to stop her. "How much is it? I'll pay double."
Xiaohua hesitated, but Linda shoved a card into her hand.
Moments later, the assistant returned with the dress in a delicate box and offered it to Linda.
Linda's friend cut her off rudely. "She doesn't need to try it on—everything looks custom on her."
Xiaohua maintained her composure. "This is the only piece we have. It's quite expensive…"
"Do I look like someone who can't afford it?"
Linda sneered, tossing her hair.
Just as she smirked at Bai Xiaoxiao's silent demeanor, a deep, magnetic voice echoed from the back of the shop.
"That dress is not for sale."
Everyone turned. From the back room emerged a tall man with striking features.
Wen Ran and Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes widened in recognition.
"Mr. Luo!"
Luo Haofeng strode forward, his eyes sweeping over the room. He glanced at Linda and her friend before telling the assistant, "Xiaohua, take note. From now on, we don't serve these two."
Linda's face turned white. "What do you mean?"
His tone was indifferent, yet commanding. "Exactly what I said."
"Give us a reason!"
"Because you haven't learned how to behave."
His gaze turned steely. "You're the model rumored to be involved with Young Master Xiao, aren't you? If you want any chance of marrying into the Xiao family—disappear. Now."
Linda trembled with rage, but Luo Haofeng simply smiled, satisfied.
"Xiaohua—see them out."